Piston ring



Jan. 5, 1937 M." J. KWARTZ ayes-gas PIsTou RING Filed Nov. 22, was

Patented Jan. 5, 1937 PISTON RING Michael Joseph Kwartz, Gary, Ind., assignor of one-half to Grace M. Trankla, Gary lnd.

Application November 22, 1935, Serial No; 51,099

2 Claims. (01. soc-44) This invention relates in general to piston rings for internal combustion motors, or the like, and more particularly to a ring which is so constructed as to eliminate axial movement thereof relative to the piston during operation of the latter.

A principal object. of the invention is the provision of a metal piston ring comprising two or more component parts between which a film of oil will collect to maintain the ring firmly against the radial surfaces of its groove to prevent fluttering of the ring during operation of the piston.

J Another important object of the invention is.

the provision of a split piston ring having an annular recess therein and a split metal ring insert in said recess of a higher co-efiicient of expansion than the main ring to maintain the latter in close contact with the cylinder wall.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the.

invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

' In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a piston ring embodying the features of the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a piston incorporating a plurality of rings embodying the features of the invention;

30 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the cylinder, piston and piston ring, the latter having two separate insert rings; and

Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3 showing .a modified'form of piston ring having one separate insert ring.

Referring more particularly reference numeral 1 l indicates a piston of usual or well-known construction which is adapted to be mounted in any suitable manner for recip- 40 rocating movement within a cylinder I2 of an internal combustion motor, or the like. The piston II is provided with a plurality of axially spaced, circumferential grooves or channels l3, within each of which a piston ring is mounted 45 for the purpose of effectively sealing the space between the piston and the, cylinder wall II.

The upper one of these rings is generally indicated' by the reference numeral l4, and comprises a split main ring l5 having an annular 50 groove or channel l6 substantially centrally located in each of its upper and lower surfaces. In each of these annular grooves I6 is mounted 'a split insert ring. II which is of substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions as the 55 groove.

to the drawing,

When the main ring I5 and insert rings II are assembled together, as shown in Fig. 1, the resulting ring ll normally assumes a greater diameter than that of the cylinder. l2. Therefore, upon being spread to fit over the piston II and 5 inserted into a groove l3, and upon being further compressed to fit into the cylinder I2, the ring M will have a definite tendency to expand to insure eiiective'sealing of the space between the piston and the cylinder wall. 10

, This expansive tendency may be increased when the motor is operating by using a metal having a higher co-efiicient of expansion for the insert rings l'l than that of the metal used for the main ring I5. For example, the main ring 15 I5may be made of iron or steel, while an aluminum alloy is used in making the insert rings I'I.

The remaining rings which are used with the piston II are indicated generally by reference numeral f8. These rings are identical to the ring 20 I4, except thatthe main ring l9 thereof, which corresponds to the ring 15, is provided with but one annular groove I6 and associated insert ring When the rings I4 or l8 are in operative position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, there is a certain amount of clearance between the top and bottom or radially disposed surfaces of the rings I5 or l8 and the grooves l3.. This clearance must be allowed in order to insert the rings in the grooves;- and, in the ordinary type of ring, it results in I movement of the ring axially of and relative to- 'the piston, which is designated as fluttering of the ring.

The provision of the inserts I'I, however, eliminates such fluttering. This is due to the fact that the instant construction allows oil to seep in and collect between the inner radial surfaces of the groove l6 and its associated insert ring IT to maintain the latter tightly against the adjacent 40 rlidial [surface of the groove l3. With only the q'ne insert ring II, as shown in Fig. 4, the oppo- :/ite radial surface of the ring l9 will similarly be maintained in engagement with its associated radial surface of the groove l3.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoing description, and it will. be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material ad vantages, the form hereinbei'ore described lacing merely a preferred embodiment thereof. 66

I claim:

1. A metal packing ring for a piston which is mounted for movement within a cylinder, comprising a split main ring having an annular recess therein, and a, split insert ring mounted in said recess, said insert ring being made of a metal having a higher co-eflicient of expansion than the metal composing said main ring, whereby during operation of said piston said insert ring will insure fluid-tight contact between said main ring and the inner wall of said cylinder.

2. A metal packing ring adapted to be inserted in a circumferential groove in a piston which is mounted for reciprocating movement within a cylinder, comprising a split main ring having an annular channel of rectangular cross section in a radial surface thereof, and a split insert ring mounted in said channel and having substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions as the channel, whereby oil will be collected between the inner radial surfaces of said insert ring and said channel to force said insert and main rings apart radially of said piston to insure firm engagement between said packing ring and the radial walls of said groove during reciprocation of said piston, said insert ring being made of a metal having a higher co-efllcient of expansion than the metal composing said main ring to insure fluid-tight contact between said main ring and the inner wall of said cylinder.

MICHAEL JOSEPH KWART Z. 

